Plans to redevelop the Circus Street Municipal Market in Brighton, UK are back on track after being slowed down by the world recession. The partners in the project, Brighton & Hove City Council, the University of Brighton and Cathedral Group PLC just announced that they have selected Shedkm to design the $160m project. “The appointment [...]

Plans to redevelop the Circus Street Municipal Market in Brighton, UK are back on track after being slowed down by the world recession. The partners in the project, Brighton & Hove City Council, the University of Brighton and Cathedral Group PLC just announced that they have selected Shedkm to design the $160m project. “The appointment of architects heralds a turning point and underlines the commitment to create a sustainable development that will bring housing and jobs, as well as arts and education opportunities,” says Phelim Mac Cafferty, Deputy Leader of the Brighton & Hove City Council.

The 1.8 acre site is located just off the Grande Parade at the heart of Brighton City Center, and it has been left unused for quite some time. The new design will feature a central public plaza as the focal point of the development. Other building and site improvements are expected to be made including replacing the existing dilapidated market building.

A key component to the project is a new dance studio for South East Dance that is envisioned to bring a cultural identity focused on dance to Brighton. The redevelopment will also include a new library and teaching space for the University of Brighton, plus new student housing with approximately 400 additional beds. It will have almost 10,000 square feet of new office space and 4000 square feet of retail, café and restaurant space as well as a creative industries market. The redesigned area will be rounded out with a residential component of 160 to 200 units of housing as well.

Brighton is estimating that the redevelopment of the Circus Street Municipal Market will create 140 construction jobs and 170 other jobs generated by the completed development, in addition to the $245 million dollars it will inject into the local economy. Before the project breaks ground, Cathedral Group has installed some temporary uses on the site, such as a pop-up market that promotes Brighton’s creatives, as a part of their overall sustainability goals. Cathedral Group hopes to achieve BREEAM environmental certification for their mixed-use redevelopment of the square.